What causes this disease? This disease is caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A, most often the species Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococci are the cause of many human diseases, including sore throat, scarlet fever, rheumatism, etc.
Rash is an infectious disease and therefore the infection comes from a sick person. The reservoir and source of the pathogen is a person suffering from one form of streptococcal infection and a healthy carrier. The main route of infection is airborne, but the contact route cannot be ruled out. According to doctors, an important role is played by the autoimmune route of transmission.
The main cause of erysipelas is damage to the skin. The wound surface is the entrance gate for the introduction of streptococcus. Very small damage, scratches, burns, cracks on the heel are enough for the microbe to enter due to this damage.
In the course of their life, streptococci produce toxins, reducing immunity. And weakened immunity is exactly what microorganisms need for the further development of skin infections. Therefore, erysipelas is always found in people weakened by other diseases or under the influence of stress, physical or psychological overload, bad habits. The risk group includes patients with diabetes, varicose veins, cancer, HIV infection, immunodeficiency, as well as constant exposure to the skin of synthetic clothing or harmful substances,
It most often develops in pregnant women, the elderly, diabetics, with chronic inflammation of streptococcal infection.
Skin erysipelas – symptoms
Erysipelas can affect different parts of the body. 80% of the disease develops in the lower extremities, more often on the legs, less often in other parts of the body.
The first symptoms appear a day after infection. It is possible to be infected from a patient with a streptococcal infection. The disease occurs quite suddenly. The first reaction of the body is fever, headache, aches in the body. There may even be nausea and vomiting.
The first reaction of the skin is itching, burning. With the development of the disease there is an inflammatory change in the skin – the skin becomes red, hot to the touch, painful. Rash spreads very quickly throughout the body.
The classic clinical picture of the disease is as follows: bright hyperthermia of the skin, with clear jagged edges – “tongues of flame”. Due to edema – the affected area of skin rises above the healthy. Fluid-filled blisters and spotting may occur.
The so-called “butterfly” often appears on the face. Usually this location is accompanied by unpleasant and even painful sensations. From the face, the inflammatory reaction can spread even to the scalp. Legs are more likely to be infected than hands. Less often it can be localized on the torso.
The temperature can last for a week, even despite the therapy.
Recurrent inflammation can occur within two years after the infection. Relapses usually proceed calmly, and are shown by skin symptoms without disturbance of the general condition of the patient.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, there are forms of this disease. It can be mild, moderate or severe. Also distinguished by the nature of the rash: erythematous, erythematous-bullous and erythematous-hemorrhagic.
How to treat erysipelas
The disease itself is not contagious. Hospitalization is not indicated, only if the general condition of the patient deteriorates.
Treatment includes drinking and diet. At high temperatures take antipyretics such as ibuprofen, paracetamol. Since the disease is of bacterial origin, it should be treated with antibiotics. The course of treatment with antimicrobial drugs is from one week to 10 days. Antibiotics such as erythromycin and ciprofloxacin are used.
If the inflammation is accompanied by the presence of bubbles or hemorrhages, then the treatment of areas with a solution of furacillin is used.
Rash – treatment at home
How to treat the disease at home? For the treatment of erysipelas at home, folk remedies are used, which include means for the treatment of inflamed areas.
- In summer, ointments are prepared from fresh plants, mixing yarrow, chamomile and plantain. Herbs should be crushed, in the absence of allergies, add a spoonful of honey. Any of these plants can be mixed with butter and get an ointment.
- In winter, medicinal decoctions of nettle, oak bark, chamomile, calendula are prepared. Mix all the herbs in a glass of water 1 tbsp. collection. Treat several times a day with the prepared mixture. It is advisable to use fresh broth every day.
- In order to remove the inflammation from the skin, it is necessary to lubricate it 4-5 times a day with fat. Hawthorn fruits have also proven themselves well as an anti-inflammatory agent, it is enough to make a pulp from them.
- On the lower extremities of erysipelas can be treated with celery, especially in combination with honey, it very quickly relieves inflammation. Can be taken orally and used for topical therapy.
- There is one way to treat with cheese. It is believed that if you apply it on the leg in a thick layer and do not allow to dry, the cheese relieves pain and inflammation.
But keep in mind that local remedies alone will not help. In any case, you need antibiotic therapy, which is prescribed by a doctor, especially in children.
The disease can be complicated by somatic pathology. Streptococcus can affect the heart and kidneys. Complications can be local, such as ulcers. Usually with adequate treatment the consequences are minimal or absent.
Prevention of erysipelas
In order to prevent the occurrence of erysipelas, it is necessary to treat the pathology caused by streptococcus. It is also desirable to wear clothes made of natural fabrics, to treat chronic diseases.
Preventive measures can also include injury prevention. I want to give an example. My co-worker decided at the age of 40 to learn to ride a bike. She succeeded. But as you know, not everyone can go by car at once, so falls, bumps, scratches are possible… In addition to everything, a colleague smoked and had varicose veins on his legs. As a result of all this, after a while she developed erysipelas. How the disease progresses is written above. I will just say that she suffers a lot during exacerbations. So be careful!
